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In English, the verb must agree with its subject in number and person. In other words, the
verb must be of the same number and person as the subject. Subjects and verbs must agree in
number. This is the main rule that forms the background of the concept.
RULE 1`
Subjects dont always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify
the subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
Examples
1
(The subject is not this puzzle but it is the pieces of this puzzle so the subject is plural)
2
The study of languages and sciences is very important for your study.
(singular verb)
(2) The actress, along with her manager and some friends, are invited to the function
The actress, along with her manager and some friends, is invited to the function
RULE 4
When two or more subjects are connected by or, nor, either or, neither nor, the verb
is according to the subject close to it.
Examples:
1
Neither of It is only used in case of two things or persons and not one of
the two.
Either ofIt means the choice is between two persons and things and one of
the two.
One of.. It is used to select one out of something that has more than two.
One of the six boys admitted before the principal that they had all cheated in the exam.
Both/not
Do not use both and not in the same sentence. If we wish to state that out of the two things
not even one of them then use neither of.
Both of the girls did not reach the examination centre on time. (incorrect )
Neither of the girls reached the examination centre on time. (correct)
RULE 6
When not only . but also is used to combine two subject, the verb agrees with the
subject close to it.
Examples:
Not only silver, but also gold are mined in this country.
But when two nouns joined by and do not have their own articles then we consider them as
singular and singular verb is used. The article is used only before the first noun.
Examples:
The principal and director of the school is on leave for three days.
A large and comfortable chair is needed in my study.
RULE 8
Majority can be singular or plural. If it is used alone it is usually singular, if it is
followed by a plural noun, it is usually plural.
The majority believe that the country can progress
RULE 9
Collective nouns
A collective noun is a word that is used for a whole group. It denotes a group of
individuals.
Examples of collective nouns
family, group, committee, class, organisation, team, army, club, crowd, government, jury,
minority, public, mob etc.
Examples
The committee have met and accepted the proposal
But when they are not used as a whole and are further subdivided into smaller units we use a
plural verb.
RULE 11
When a lot of, a great deal of, plenty of, most of, and some of refer to number (countable
noun) , a plural verb is used.
Examples:
A lot of people was present in the gallery some of the students were absent
A lot of people were present in the gallery some of the students were absent
Note : If these expressions refer to an amount (Uncountable noun) , the verb is in the singular
number.
Examples:
None of the counterfeit money have been found (incorrect)
None of the counterfeit money has been found (correct)
Structure: none + of the + plural count noun + plural verb
Examples:
None of the students has finished the exam yet (incorrect)
None of the students have finished the exam yet (correct)
No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which follows it.
Structure: No + singular noun + singular verb
No example is relevant to this case (correct)
Structure: No + plural noun + plural verb
No examples are relevant to this case (correct)
RULE 15
A number of / the number
Observe the two structures:
(i) a number of + plural noun + plural verb.
(ii) the number of + plural noun + singular verb.
Examples:
A number of students is going to the class picnic (Incorrect)
A number of students are going to the class picnic (Correct)
The number of days in a week are seven (Incorrect)
The number of days in a week is seven (correct)
The number of residents who have been residing in this colony is quite small (Correct)
A number of the applicants have already been interviewed. (correct)
RULE 16
Relative pronouns
Sometimes the pronoun who, that, or which is the subject of a verb in the middle of the
sentence . The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural according to the
noun directly in front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural,
use a plural verb.
The verb should not be chosen according to the subject of the sentence.
Example:
He is one of the men who do the work.
The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.
RULE 17
The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact.
Example: If the teacher were here, youd have to answer the question.
The teacher is singular so it should be followed by was. But the teacher isnt actually here, so
we say were, not was. The sentence shows things that are hypothetical, wishful,
imaginary, or factually contradictory. In such sentences we use were.
Examples:
I wish it were Friday.
RULE 18
The following are considered as singular.
Each, Every, Everyone, Someone, Somebody, Nobody, None, One, Any, Many a, More
than one are treated as singular. We use a singular verb, singular pronoun and singular
noun with them.
Examples
(1) Each students from Pinnacle has cleared the exam.
(2) Each boy and each girl has to finish his work by the weekend.
(3) More than one man present there.
(4) Each man and each woman was garlanded by the host.
The word many can be used in the following ways.
1
Although the word preceding the verb is is plural in nature, the correct verb is singular,
because of the presence of many a.
Many a will be followed by the singular noun and a singular verb will be used.
2
Note : But if each, every, one is followed by of then the word of will be followed by a
plural noun/pronoun. But the verb and pronoun used in the sentence will be singular.
One of the girls/them has made a card for her teacher.
Indefinite Pronoun
If One is the subject of the sentence then the pronouns used will be ones, oneself etc.
Do not use him ,himself.
(1) One should complete his work in time. (Incorrect)
(2) One should keep ones promise. (Correct)
RULE 19
In optative sentences the verb used is always plural irrespective of the subject. Even
with singular subjects we use a plural verb.
Examples.
1)
2)
3)
RULE 20
Amount of/ quantity of + Uncountable Noun the verb used will be singular.
(1)
(2)
RULE 21
All can be treated as both singular and plural.
When it refers to persons or things it is treated as plural or else it is treated as singular.
Examples
1 All are waiting for the principal to arrive.
2 All is well at home.
3 All are well at home. (Referring to persons)
RULE 22
Furniture, advice, work, evidence, equipment, news, information, luggage, baggage,
percentage, poetry, knowledge, dirt, dust, traffic, electricity, music, breakage,
stationary, scenery, confectionery, pottery, bakery, crockery, behaviour are
uncountable nouns. So we use a singular verb with them.
(1)
(2)
RULE 23
Headphones , knickers , premises (buildings) , Alms , ruins, amends , archives , arrears,
auspices, congratulations, embers , fireworks, lodgings, outskirts, particulars, proceeds,
regards, riches, remains, savings, shambles, surroundings, tidings, furnishings, earnings,
leftovers, troops, tactics, thanks, valuables, forceps, wages, belongings, braces, Scissors,
tongs ,pliers, pincers, bellows trousers, pants, pajamas, shorts , gallows , fangs spectacles,
goggles, binoculars , eyeglasses .
These nouns are always plural and a plural verb is used with them.
Examples
These scissors are for cutting paper.
Your clothes are dirty.
Have you seen my glasses? I want to read the newspaper.
What kind of goods does your company produce?
The table of contents should not contain any pictures.
Firearms were used to disperse the crowd.
I live on the outskirts of the city.
Some of these nouns are often used with the expression a pair of, as they refer to things made
up of two parts:
a pair of trousers
a pair of jeans
a pair of shoes
a pair of slippers
a pair of glasses
a pair of gloves
a pair of earrings
Note : With a pair of . A singular verb will be used.
A pair of trousers was lying on the bed.
RULE 24
These nouns appear to be plural but are actually singular and we use a singular verb
with them.
News, Innings, Politics, Summons, linguistics.
Names of subjects ending in s.
Examples -Physics, Economics, Ethics, Mathematics,
Names of diseases ending in s.
Examples Mumps, Measles, Rickets Shingles, Billiards, Athletics etc
Examples
Athletics is good for young people.
Linguistics is the study of language.
Darts is a popular game in England.
Billiards is played all over the world.
RULE 21
These nouns appear as singular but are plural and a plural verb is used with them.
Cattle, cavalry, infantry, poultry, peasantry, children , gentry, police, people, etc.
RULE 22
These noun are used in singular form only and they are uncountable form only.